Review: We see what it's like to live with a £3,000 big-screen home cinema projector
26.08.2022 - 12:47
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
There's nothing better than watching a movie or a big sporting fixture on a big screen. But big-screen TVs take up huge amounts of space and cost a small fortune.
However, there is another way... A projector. And with a projector you could even watch your choice of entertainment outside. Try doing that with a big TV.
Truth be told, projectors have always had their limitations. Poor brightness levels, funny viewing angles, and limited connectivity.
But the game has moved on quietly over the years, and now we have short-throw projectors, which can even link up to Wi-Fi, and have more sockets for peripherals than your average TV.
One of the best devices on the market is LG's CineBeam HU715Q. It sports 4K Ultra HD, which is nothing unusual, and it has an 8.3 Mega Pixel short-throw projection system. Again, nothing earth-shattering.
But packaged into the absolutely gorgeous-looking box, with its fabric speaker surround, are some stand-out features that really set it apart, and justify its pretty hefty £3,000 price tag.
The first big-hitting feature is its ultra-short throw projection. Short throw has been a game-changer in the projector world, because it means the unit can be sat up close to a wall or projector screen and still put out a sharp image in a perfect viewing shape.
And the CineBeam's throw is absolutely remarkable.
The next trick up its swelling sleeve is its clever Brightness Optimizer II, which automatically monitors light levels and adjusts its output to suit the setting.
It also comes with LG's proven webOS 6.0, which links up to your Wi-Fi and allows access to a range of apps and services - so it's like using a massive smart TV.
It supports Apple Airplay, it has a trick HDR image processor, motorised focus